Chapter 144: Chapter 144

Unlike Chen Yuwei and some other Chinese hunters, Koyama had little interest in martial arts. All he was interested in was planting a flag on top of this dog-like mountain. A crazy guy sent them to go hiking, but he had no intention of backing down. Although this exchange match was done with good intentions, winners and losers would always be clearly divided.

The conversation Koyama had with his clan leader before he came here replayed in his mind.

-You failed to raid a dungeon again, Koyama. That’s a total of four consecutive failures...

-I-I’m sorry, clan leader. It won’t happen again.

-I don’t think you have it in you to clear C-grade dungeons...

He couldn’t help but remember his clan leader’s gaze back then. It was as cold as the raid industry. Even if they paid a large sum of money to get a C+ grade hunter, clan leaders would still immediately treat the hunter coldly if they continuously failed raids. Clans didn’t do business that wouldn’t bring them profit.

-The clan pays you a lot of money since you’re a C+ grade hunter, but you’ll be in trouble if you keep failing.

-N-No! I was just unlucky!

Koyama wasn’t in the UHC or SSL, and he didn’t gain international popularity for his outstanding appearance and eloquence. Compared to the past, there were a lot more hunters now. Hence, the time when hunters could get attention just by appearing on air was now long gone. They couldn’t even do that now if they were lacking in skills or talent.

-You better achieve something outstanding in the upcoming exchange exhibition so reporters will at least have something to write articles about.

Beating hunters from other countries had always been a popular subject, especially when they were from South Korea or China. It didn’t matter if it was a friendly match. All that mattered was that they won. After all, victories could be exaggerated and promoted multiple times.

-... I understand. I will do my best.

“Get out of the way. I’m going up,” Koyama said.

However, the Chinese hunters didn’t budge.

“...... ”

When the Chinese hunters grinned, Koyama realized something.

Perhaps...!

“Are you really going to do this, you bastards?!”

“It’s too late!” Chen Yuwei swung a long, wooden stick. The enchanted wooden stick couldn’t kill, but it could certainly break bones.

Bam!

Frightened, Koyama dodged backward, but the shockwave still shook him. The other Japanese hunters urgently pulled out their weapons when they saw the scene.

“Wh-what are you doing? I will formally protest!”

“Go on, then. Protest if you want.” The Chinese hunters scoffed.

Only those who knew nothing would say that exchange exhibitions between clans transcended countries. All that mattered was winning and raising their reputation! Quite a few attacks transpired even during friendly events like baseball and tennis. No law forbade the same from happening while hiking. Hence, those who didn’t expect this much violence were the ones at fault if ever they fell prey to such assaults.

“Don’t worry. I don’t intend to kill you.”

No matter how blatantly the Chinese government ignored the protests of the clans, things would dramatically escalate if a hunter were to die. Hence, the Chinese hunters had no intention to kill. Their goal was to hurt others until they could no longer hike up the mountain. Naturally, from the Japanese hunters’ perspective, it was absurd.

“You bastards...!”

“Have you sold your conscience?”

“You are so shameless! You’re definitely from China!”

Among Earth’s countries, China had an exceptionally thick face. No matter what protest they were faced with, they just ignored them, saying, ‘Lalala~ I can’t hear you~’ Hence, the clans under them could act much more freely. The Chinese hunters didn’t care about the Japanese hunters’ insults and curses.

“What? When have you not been shameless?”

“Who do you think entered the gate that opened on Diaoyudao Islands a while back?”

“Regardless, you Japanese bastards have always been greedy.”

East Asian countries had always been on bad terms with each other. One of their most famous disputes was the conflict over the Diaoyudao Islands or the Senkaku Islands, which sat right in the middle of the sea.

Arguing with each other over it, the Japanese and Chinese hunters raced to the gate when it opened. The Chinese hunters’ words made the Japanese hunters so angry that they were speechless. The Japanese government wasn’t so perfect that they had never caused an accident, but...

They couldn’t stand listening to the Chinese’s greedy and vicious words. At the very least, they shouldn’t allow this!

“Trample them!”

“Hah. I will show you the power of martial arts!”

***

“Ugh...”

“You better rest,” Choi Yeonseung said. When the Korean hunters stared at the top of the mountain with regret, he shook his head. “Giving up is also courage. What could be more meaningless than getting hurt while overdoing things in a friendly match like this?”

It seemed they suffered a magic power backlash when they used flying magic, making them tremble and impairing their vision. Nothing good could come from moving too much in this situation.

“... Thank you. I’ll rest here and head down once I’m feeling okay.”

“Good. Don’t get too carried away with flying magic.”

“Are you Hunter Choi Yeonseung?”

“Yes. That’s right.”

“As expected...! Thank you!”

[The skill ‘Suppress the Strong and Support the Weak’ has been activated. The power of your existence has increased!]

[The power of your existence increases with trust!]

‘I didn’t mean for this to happen, but it feels good.’

As expected, being from the same country was great. Doing something nice resulted in more intense reactions.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ wonders if you have ever done a good deed for a hunter from another country.]

-... No? Should there be?

[’Dignity of Light’ is triggered. The power of light has risen.]

“!”

The power skill the Arrogant Light Elf had given Choi Yeonseung activated for the first time.

‘Uh… What do I use this for?’

Choi Yeonseung recalled what Christopher had done. He seemed to be good at making things with light...

-... Successor. You don’t seem to have any talent for that.

[The ‘Cat of Lava and Magma’ says it is definitely a crafting talent.]

‘The two of you are being quite rude.’

The two constellations weren’t wrong, though. The power given by the elf constellation could only be handled properly when its user was talented in craftsmanship. Choi Yeonseung could only use it to make a dagger of light at best.

‘This is the only power I have now. It is impossible to apply it. Should I cover the sword with it?’

If he amplified it by putting light over the sword energy...

“Choi Yeonseung! A fight broke out above!”

“What? Are there monsters?”

Hallasan was so huge that there was nothing strange in it having a few monsters. Detection magic could be used to search their surroundings, but it had a limit.

“Uh... Uhhh…”

“Groan...”

However, by the time they arrived, all they could find were fallen Japanese hunters.

“They didn’t fight monsters.”

“What?”

“If they were fighting against monsters, they would’ve been killed the moment they lost.”

“......!”

Antony got goosebumps when he heard what Choi Yeonseung told Illeya. Not only was Choi Yeonseung right, but he also deduced that conclusion as soon as he saw the sight.

“Did the Chinese hunters beat them up?”

“... H-how do you come to that conclusion?” Antony didn’t normally admire others, but this was a bit too much. Choi Yeonseung being able to determine the Japanese hunters’ opponents was way beyond Antony’s imagination.

Was it a martial arts skill?

“No. Those Chinese bastards scribbled something in their language.”

Choi Yeonseung pointed to one of the Japanese hunters. Chinese characters were written in red paint on his face. He didn’t know what it said, but they were clearly curse words.

“No... Are those Chinese hunters attacking and eliminating hunters of other clans?” Antony murmured in disbelief, but then murmured, “Isn’t that a smart move?”

“......”

“......”

Choi Yeonseung and Illeya looked at him with contempt, flustering him.

“What’s wrong with you? That has already happened a few times in other exchanges.”

“The world has to be ending. Things weren’t this extreme back in my days.”

Wasn’t it too much to gather for friendship purposes but end up breaking each other’s bones and making them drop out?

“Let’s pick up the pace and take out the other competitors. Isn’t your martial arts the best when it comes to hurting others without killing them, Choi Yeonseung?”

“Don’t talk about my martial arts as if it’s something strange. Anyway, these guys... I’m wondering if I should leave them alone.”

“They were defeated because they couldn’t take care of themselves, so they should at least handle this themselves.”

Antony was cold, and Illeya agreed with him. Hunters were responsible for their own lives. That was what they learned at school.

“No. I should at least do the bare minimum.”

“Hey... Why... ” Antony grumbled, but he didn’t argue further.

“Do you know how to use healing magic?”

“No.”

He had the power skill he received from the goddess, but he didn’t want to use it just for a few broken bones. That would be like killing a chicken with a cow knife, wouldn’t it? Choi Yeonseung took a more traditional approach. He hit one of the fallen Japanese hunters’ broken bones.

“Kuaaack!” The Japanese hunter jolted awake.

“Are you okay?” n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

“■■■■! ■■■!”

“Hmm. I guess that means thank you in Japanese.”

Choi Yeonseung understood what the hunter was saying since he was a constellation, but he pretended otherwise.

“Your leg is broken.”

“■■...!”

Pop!

“Cheer up. We hunters have strong physiques, and our bones are tough as well. I adjusted your leg to ensure you recover quickly.”

The hunter didn’t answer, however. He was foaming at the mouth, and only the whites of his eyes could be seen.

“Now. The other one...”

Choi Yeonseung shifted his gaze and locked eyes with another Japanese hunter, who in turn answered in very fluent Korean, “I-I am okay! I’m not in pain!”

“Your arm is bent the other way around. Come on, give it to me.”

"Aaaaack!"

Martial arts masters had a very high understanding of the human body’s structure. In fact, Choi Yeonseung could even perform complex surgical procedures with his eyes clothes. Recovery was a little slower compared to magic, but it at least started as soon as he disinfected the injury, made the bones fit right back together, bandaged it, and gave them more energy using a bit of internal energy. The process was naturally very painful, though.

After the procedure, Antony asked the hunters, “He helped you so much. Shouldn’t you express your gratitude?”

“......”

The Japanese hunters glared at Antony with complex and subtle emotions. Saving them even though they weren’t from the same clan was really kind and touching of Choi Yeonseung. Hence, they were grateful, and they knew they should certainly express their thanks, but… the rising pain made them angry.

It hurt so much.

Antony glared at the hunters. “You seem to be ignorant about how to repay grace!”

“T-that isn’t the case. Thank you, Hunter Choi Yeonseung, from the bottom of my heart.”

“I didn’t expect to receive such kindness.”

“I think you could’ve made it hurt a bit less, but...”

“If you plan to keep going, keep an eye out for the Chinese hunters. They were the ones who attacked us.”

“It would be bad if they attack you as well.”

Choi Yeonseung thought deeply. He would have too much of an advantage if they fought in close quarters while ensuring nobody died. The opponent wouldn’t be able to use dangerous magic spells while he excitedly beat them up.

[The skill ‘Suppress the Strong and Support the Weak’ has been activated. The power of your existence has increased!]

[The power of your existence has increased due to complex belief!}

‘... I didn’t?expect?it to rise.’

What was a complex belief?